Hiroshima Day commemorates the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, by the United States during World War II on August 6, 1945. Each year, the world remembers this tragedy on this date.
The bombing was carried out by the B-29 aircraft Enola Gay, with a bomb nicknamed "Little Boy," which exploded approximately 600 meters above Hiroshima, releasing a devastating blast wave, scorching heat, and lethal radiation. This tragedy not only caused physical destruction but also long-term suffering for the victims and survivors.
Just three days later, on August 9, 1945, the US dropped a second atomic bomb, "Fat Man," on Nagasaki. The use of these nuclear weapons caused significant changes in global geopolitics.
According to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, by the end of 1945, the bombings had resulted in approximately 140,000 deaths in Hiroshima and 74,000 in Nagasaki. In the following years, survivors known as Hibakusha suffered from leukemia, cancer, long-term trauma, and severe radiation effects.
Seven decades have passed since these events. Each year, the world commemorates Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days, observing moments of silence to remember the millions of lives lost due to the nuclear tragedy. These events serve as a perpetual reminder of the horrors of war and underscore the global efforts to prevent the recurrence of such disasters.
Impact on Southeast Asia and the World
The bombings led to Japan's surrender to the Allies on August 15, 1945, through the declaration of surrender by Emperor Hirohito, officially ending World War II.
The impact of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki extended far beyond Japan. Globally, these events spurred the birth of the anti-nuclear movement and accelerated peace efforts. For Southeast Asian countries, the bombings also influenced the course of history, including the independence of several nations.
Malaysia
After the bombings, the British regained control of Malaya (now Malaysia and Singapore), which had been under Japanese occupation since 1941. British rule continued until Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957, as stipulated in Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution.
Indonesia
The bombings also impacted Indonesia's history. Sutan Sjahrir, one of the young leaders, heard the news of Japan's defeat and urged Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta to immediately proclaim independence. Initially, Soekarno and Hatta were reluctant, awaiting the results of the PPKI session. However, to avoid Japanese influence, they were exiled to Rengasdengklok.
There, Soekarno and Hatta were continuously urged by the young leaders to proclaim independence by August 17, 1945, at the latest. Eventually, Soekarno agreed, and the Indonesian Declaration of Independence was read on that date.
